Saranac board names street after Otto Laabs

Members of the Saranac Community Schools Board of Education honored one of the district's most beloved supporters at Thursday's meeting.

SCS Superintendent Maury Geiger said student council representatives from each school developed the idea to name the street by the athletic fields. After coming up with four names, the students voted. The most votes were for naming the road "Otto Laabs Lane."

Otto Laabs was involved in SCS athletics as a coach and statistician for 52 years, was a golf coach for 37 years and was a teacher for 45 years. He passed away Nov. 25 of 2011 at 75 years old.

A motion to name the street and student parking Otto Laabs Lane was approved with none opposed.

Board vice president Dan Lauer said he is amazed that the student body voted on the name honoring Laabs, which proves Laabs' legacy in the district.

In more business, the board members approved a first reading to hire Dennis Cooper for the position of high school junior varsity boys football coach.

Saranac Jr./Sr. High School Principal and district athletic director Josh Leader said Dennis Cooper and Andrew Lytle applied for the position and were interviewed by himself, varsity football coach Terry Johnson, parent representative Tim Ward and student representative Drake Edwards.

In a letter addressed to Leader, Cooper said he has coaching experience at Saranac Community Schools, Grand Rapids Northview High School and at various football camps. He has a degree in Physical Education from Aquinas College and has taught physical education, body mechanics, aerobics and introduction to swimming.

Leader said both candidates are familiar to the district and quality candidates, but they have agreed to recommend Cooper. He added he also received a resignation letter from JV assistant coach Paul Wright, which means another position will need to be filled.

The board is expected to approve or reject the second reading at the March 21 meeting.

In more business, four Boy Scouts from Troop 71 were recognized by the board for achieving the Eagle Scout rank. Lauer said he is thankful for the leadership shown to the young men by their scout masters.

Also, Geiger said the district's "best practices" have been submitted to the state and approved and board members gave the school principals certificates of recognition in honor of Administration Appreciation Week.

"We're blessed to have a team like this," said board president Steve Lawarre.

Follow Karin Armbruster on Twitter @ISSKarin

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